since we left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since we left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time period that has passed from the moment of departure until the present. Example: "It has been raining heavily since we left the house this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We haven't eaten since we left his cabin before dawn.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We've been far more successful since we left," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

"You've been in a bad mood since we left England".

The New York Times - Books

The rates have fallen tremendously ever since we left 2000.

The New York Times

We hadn't said a word since we left Kjenna.

The New Yorker

I think I have definitely become a more spiritual person since we left Texas.

The New York Times

He'd been as quiet as a statue for the two hours since we left Seattle.

The New York Times - Travel

I sensed that Reid had been waiting for this moment since we left Montreal.

The New York Times - Sports

Since we left the church, I have been called a pervert.

The Guardian

But I think it has changed quite a lot since we left eight years ago.

The Guardian

It had been falling ever since we left behind the last human habitation, in Argentina.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "since we left" to clearly indicate a duration that began at the point of departure and continues to the present. It's especially useful when discussing changes, experiences, or states of being that have evolved from that specific moment.

Common error

Avoid using "since we left" when you actually mean "because we left." "Since" primarily denotes time, while "because" indicates cause and effect. Using them interchangeably can confuse your reader. For example, instead of saying "The business failed since we left," which implies the failure happened merely after your departure, clarify if your leaving caused the failure: "The business failed because we left."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since we left" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, indicating a time frame that begins at the point of departure and extends to a later point, usually the present. It modifies the verb in the main clause by providing temporal context. Ludwig confirms its standard grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Travel

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "since we left" is a common and grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to indicate a time period beginning at the moment of departure and extending to a later point. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively establishes a temporal relationship between a past event and its subsequent effects. While its usage spans various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media sources and has a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that it accurately reflects the timeline and avoid confusing it with causal relationships. By considering these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "since we left" into your writing to convey temporal information clearly and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from the moment we departed

Adds emphasis to the starting point of the time period.

after our departure

Replaces "since" with "after" and uses the noun form "departure" for a more formal tone.

following our leaving

Uses "following" instead of "since" and the gerund form "leaving" to describe the act of departing.

once we were gone

Uses "once" to indicate the point of departure as a condition.

subsequent to our exit

Employs more formal vocabulary like "subsequent to" and "exit", increasing the formality.

after we had moved

Focuses on the action of moving to describe the departure.

ever since our relocation

Substitutes "left" with "relocation" and adds "ever" to emphasize the duration.

after we had gone

Uses the past perfect tense to emphasize that the leaving occurred before another point in time.

post our relocation

Shortens the phrase using "post" for a concise alternative.

in the time since our moving

Uses "in the time since" for a slightly more descriptive alternative.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "since we left" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "after our departure" or "subsequent to our exit". These options employ more sophisticated vocabulary and phrasing.

What's the difference between "since we left" and "after we left"?

While both phrases indicate a time following a departure, "since we left" often implies a continuous period up to the present, whereas "after we left" simply denotes a point or period following the departure. For example, "I haven't seen him "since we left"" suggests the not seeing continues until now, but "I called him "after we left"" only refers to one action.

Can I use "since we left" to describe a hypothetical situation?

While grammatically correct, "since we left" is typically used to refer to actual events in the past. For hypothetical situations, it's better to use phrases like "if we were to leave" or "should we leave".

What are some common words that follow "since we left"?

Common words following "since we left" often include verbs related to change, duration, or consequence. Examples include "changed", "happened", "passed", "improved", or "deteriorated". For instance, "Things have "changed since we left"".